Method of and apparatus for artificial fecundation of flowers



Mar. 3, 1925. 1,528,664

M. FERRAGUTI METHQD OF AND APPARATUS FOR ARTIFICIAL FECUNDATION 0F FLOWERS Filed March 9. 1921 Patented Mar. 3, 1925.

UNITED STATES MAR-I FERRAGUT'I, or BELGIRATE, ITALY.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR ARTIFICIAL FECUNDAIION OF FLOWERS.

Application filed March 9, 1921.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MARIO FERRAGUTI,

a subject of the King of Italy, residing at Belgirate, Province of Novara, Piedmont, Kingdom of Italy, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of and Apparatus for Artificial Fecundation of Flowers, of which the following is the specification.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for the artificial fecundation of fiowers, and especially of fruit-tree flowers, the apparatus bein intended to prevent atmospheric agents, tl irough an untimely or unsuitable action, bringing about the natural fecundation.

As well known, the main factors in natural fecundation are heat and wind. Now it naturally happens that these conditions do not set in simultaneously or in proper succession or in proper intensity, the fecundation being prevented or reduced as a consequence.

The object of the present invention is to supply an apparatus in which the said conditions are made to concur and can be controlled as may be required.

The annexed drawing shows, by way of example, one embodiment of the invention which essentially consists in detaching the pollen from the anthers of the stamens by pneumatic action, in conveying the pollen through a heater in order to subject it to a determined temperature, in mingling it with an inert substance that will act as a carrying medium, and in projecting it with a certain moderate pressure on thepistils of the same flowers from which it had been drawn.

For the said purposes in a kettle a, containing water that may be heated with a burner Z) fed in any convenient manner, is arranged the cylinder 0 of a double acting pump. A piston (Z which can be actuated from the outside by any suitable driving gear, works in the cylinder 0. Pipes f, f

and g, 9' leading from the two cylinderends are fitted with suitable valves so thaton each piston stroke a pressure chamber is formed in front of the piston forcing pressure-air into a delivery piping, and at the rear of the piston a suction chamber is Serial No. 450,828.

formed drawing in air through a suction piping.

The delivery pipes f, f join a single, preferably flexible, pipe or hose F secured to the kettle a; likewise the suction pipes g, g join together into a single pipe G which too is secured to the kettle a.

The two pipes F and G respectively terminate with nozzles H and K, the openings of which are bell-mounted and facing each other as shown, a free space being left between the two; into this intermediate space the single flowers or clusters of flowers to be fecundated can be introduced.

At one end of the cylinder 0 a box Z is ar ranged, containing a powdered substance. for-instance talc or washed out ash mixed with iron sulphate or with lead arsenate, the said powdered substance being drawn in across the valve m into the adjacent cylinder chamber during the suction stroke.

The working of the apparatus is as follows:

After so applying the apparatus that a cluster of flowers is placed between the apertures of the nozzles H and K, the pump is started. Air is then drawn in through K and alternately carried into the two chambers into which the cylinder is divided by the piston 03. From these two chambers the said air is forced out alternately through the delivery nozzle H; on issuing from H the pressure air detaches the pollen from the anthers, and forces it into K from whence it passes into the suction pipes and pump.

Here it is heated and periodically mingled with the inert dust which acts as a carrying medium and is supplied by the box Z. It is finally forced out through H and projected.

against the pistils, to which it adheres.

The apparatus may be fitted with shoulder-straps so that it can be hung across a mans shoulder, or it may be arranged on a truck or the like.

Having now described my invention and how the same is to be carried out, what I claim as my invention is:

1. Apparatus for the artificial fecundation of flowers comprising a double acting air pump, a pressure and a suction tube leading from the said pump, a funnel-shaped mouth at the end of each of the said tubes, from flowers by means of induced air cursaid mouths being opposite each other and rents, conducting it to chambers Where it is 10 suitably spaced apart, means for heating the heated and mixed with an inert powder, and said pump, an inert agent in the form of a returning it again to the flowers.

i finely powdered dust, and means for intro- Signed at Milan, Italy, this 16th day of ducin the said agent into the said pump. February, 1921.

2. rocess for the artificial feoundation of flowers consisting in removing the pollen MARIO FERRAGUTI. 

